An interesting name floated as a potential U.S. attorney this week.

Several sources said that that noted Raleigh defense attorney Joe Cheshire was rumored to be in contention for a federal prosecutor post in North Carolina.

That would have been an unusual pick, since Cheshire is best known for working on the other side of the courtroom, most recently in the case of five Duke lacrosse players falsely accused of rape.

But Cheshire told Dome in an e-mail today that he was not interested.

"I have had a number of people contact me about whether I would be interested in pursuing the office of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina," he said. "While I would be honored to consider such a position of service to my country, if asked, it is my present intention to continue with the private practice of law and as Chair of the Indigent Defense Service Commission of North Carolina."

Previously: Names in the mix for U.S. attorney 

They are no longer mere trial lawyers. They are now "advocates for justice."

No, we're not talking about the latest summer superhero flick.

The N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers announced today that they are changing their name. From now on, they will be known as the "N.C. Advocates for Justice."

The group approved the name change at their annual convention this weekend.

"N.C. Advocates for Justice better reflects exactly what we do on a day-to-day basis," said Joe Cheshire, president of the organization. "It does a better job of articulating what this organization is all about - fighting for justice and protecting people's rights."

We wonder if they're going to start wearing capes, too.

Four of the lawyers who cleared former Duke University lacrosse players of bogus rape charges will speak about the case at a seminar sponsored by the state Academy of Trial Lawyers.

The session is set for Nov. 30 and is aimed at lawyers, according to a news release from the organization.

The lawyers on the panel each bolstered their already-formidable reputations in their defense of the lacrosse players. The speakers will be Joseph B. Cheshire V, Brad Bannon, Wade Smith and Jim Cooney.

More after the jump

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